No. 7 Park Upsets No. 2 Benedictine in Five Sets to Advance to Heart Semifinals
ATCHISON, Kan. — No. 7-seeded Park women's volleyball earned a hard-fought postseason victory Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 2-seeded Benedictine College in five sets, 26-24, 20-25, 25-17, 21-25 and 15-11, in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.
The Pirates overcame two previous regular-season losses to the Ravens, earning the road victory to advance to the Heart Tournament semifinals. Park finished with 57 kills, a .169 hitting percentage and 27 total blocks, compared with 55 kills, a .127 hitting percentage and 18 blocks for Benedictine.
Indi Zetic and Isadora Dias led Park with 13 kills apiece, while Trinity Iverson added 12 kills and a team-high six blocks. Iverson made several important plays throughout the match, including key kills and a block during Park's first-set comeback. Teodora Tasic contributed 10 kills, and Silvia Albani directed the offense with 48 assists. Sarah Fernandez Villaverde led the Pirates defensively with 15 digs, followed by Claire Bingham with 14.
Park Rallies Late to Steal the Opening Set
Benedictine took an early lead in the opening set, but Park stayed within reach and continued to battle. The Ravens appeared poised to take the set, leading 24-20, before the Pirates responded with six consecutive points to complete the comeback.
Dias started the run with a kill, and Iverson followed with an important attack to keep Park within striking distance. Zetic added a kill to tie the set at 24-24. A Benedictine attack error gave Park set point, and Iverson finished the comeback with a block to secure the 26-24 win.
Benedictine Answers to Even the Match
Park opened the second set with a strong 7-0 run, with Fernandez Villaverde contributing two service aces during the early stretch. Benedictine worked its way back into the set, and the teams traded points through the middle portion.
The Ravens eventually took control late and closed the set with consecutive service aces, handing Park a 25-20 loss and tying the match at one set apiece.
Pirates Regain the Lead
Park responded in the third set with a strong offensive performance. The Pirates established an early advantage and continued to build on it, leading 14-6 before maintaining control through the remainder of the set.
Park's balanced attack and presence at the net helped the Pirates pull away for a 25-17 victory, giving them a 2-1 lead in the match.
Ravens Force a Deciding Fifth Set
Benedictine answered in the fourth set as both teams continued to trade momentum. Park held a 15-13 advantage, but the Ravens used a scoring run to take an 18-15 lead.
The Pirates continued to fight, but Benedictine maintained its advantage and closed out the set 25-21 to force a deciding fifth set.
Park Closes the Door in the Fifth
With the match on the line, the teams remained close early in the fifth set, tied at 7-7. Park then put together a crucial five-point run to take a 12-7 lead.
Benedictine responded with three consecutive points to cut the deficit to 12-10, but Park regained control. Iverson delivered an important point to keep the Pirates in front, and Zetic followed with a kill to bring Park to match point at 14-11.
Albani finished the victory with a kill off a Bingham assist, securing the 15-11 set win and the Pirates' five-set upset.
Park's performance at the net proved to be a major difference, as the Pirates finished with 27 total blocks compared with Benedictine's 18. Iverson led the effort with six blocks to go along with her 12 kills, while Dalla Poza added nine blocks. Park also held the advantage in kills, 57-55, and finished with four more service aces than the Ravens.
The victory advances Park to the Heart Tournament semifinals, where the Pirates will face Baker on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Baldwin City, KS.
